Protected zone “Belen Islands Complex” - BG0002017

The protected zone includes the largest Danube island on Bulgarian territory - Belene Island, with its three freshwater marshes, together with the surrounding old floodplain willow forests, as well as the neighboring islands Milka and Kitka, completely covered with floodplain forests. The Belen Islands complex provides a mosaic of important nesting, feeding and resting habitats for waterbirds throughout the year and supports 141 bird species, 40 of which are listed in the Red Book of Bulgaria. The terrestrial area of the Belen Islands Complex is part of the Persina Nature Park. The entire area of the Belen Islands Complex was designated in 2003 as a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention, in 1989 the area was designated as a Site of Ornithological Importance and in 2008 it was designated as a protected area under NATURA 2000 in accordance with Directive 2009/147 (the Birds Directive).